Page 171 of A Million To Fall

I wipe my mouth, wincing at the sting. “Yeah, I did it.”

Jake’s voice hardens again. “When was the last time you had sex with my mom?”

I meet his gaze, shame washing through me. “Yesterday.”

He tenses, every muscle in his jaw twitching.

I fully expect him to pounce again, but the blow doesn’t come.

“I tried to end it,” I say. “Back in August, when I got my apartment. I thought it’d be over, but—”

His voice softens the tiniest bit. “But what?”

I shrug again. “She wouldn’t have it. She said no judge would give me custody if they knew I was trading sex for money. She obviously has pictures, so…”

Jake’s gaze drops to his pocket where I assume his phone is.

“I needed to get Cassie and Bronx out of foster care,” I whisper. “I did it for them.”

“How often? How often do you and her…” Jake asks.

I swallow. “Couple times a week. Sometimes more. Just, whenever she wants.”

Archer bursts out laughing, nearly doubling over.

“This is too fucking good,” he snorts, stepping forward. “You fucking Jake’s mom for money. You’re just a fucking hooker.” His grin only widens. “Shit, I can’t wait to tell Skye.”

His words—the mention of Skye—slice into me.

Then Archer goes straight for the jugular. “Does your mom know you’re following in her footsteps? Hooker mom, hooker son.”

I spit blood, then lock eyes with him. “Yeah. Guess I’m a good one, too because your mom’s a repeat customer. She purrs like a cat when she comes.”

Archer flinches.

His face twists.

Then he charges.

I don’t even get a second to brace.

He tackles me, fists swinging.

I slam backwards into the snow-covered ground, Archer on top of me, punching me again and again.

Relentless.

Brutal.

He’s completely unhinged.

Jake tries to pull him off once. Twice. A third time.

Another yank and Archer stumbles back, panting, blood on his knuckles.

“Don’t you fucking dare,” he howls at me, eyes feral, breath coming fast. “You don’t get to—”

He trails off, eyes darting over me, his fists clenching and unclenching like he’s deciding whether to have another go.